West Ham are the implied suitors, with manager Slaven Bilic claimed to have wanted the Dutchman, currently of Dinamo Moscow, at former club Besiktas.

Ex-Manchester United man Alexander Buttner

The Irons' left-back problems could be the least of their worries, mind, with France Football reporting Manchester United have enquired over the signing of Dimitri Payet.

The report states the Red Devils are considering a £50.2 million bid for the Frenchman - which would be a club record sale - who cost around a fifth of that this time last year.

West Ham's Dimitri Payet

Back to incomings now though, with David Gold offering a bold incentive to targets who may be reluctant to make moves to east London.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the West Ham co-chairman said: "It's hard to get those very, very top players to come to West Ham because they want Champions League and that means they're going to have to wait a year before they can play in the Champions League."

When quizzed on his claim by a reporter, he reiterated: "Only a year."